Once Upon A Princess

Once Upon A Princess

last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-04
By:  Meadow MannOngoing
Language: English
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Synopsis

A year ago, twenty eight year old Lisa Armstrong Reed 'princess of Oakenville', lost her husband, Keith. And now, she just got invited to her aunt's wedding at Miami. Determined to forget her dead husband for good, Lisa takes a chance at a holiday and hops into the next available flight to the Florida city, in anticipation for a well-deserved vacation. What she doesn't expect is to find herself in the same room with Keith's handsome, half naked brother for whom she harbours a yearlong crush! Damien Reed 'kinda kissed' his brother's wife last year, and she shut him out almost immediately. Now with his brother dead, and Lisa miraculously turns up as a bridesmaid at his friend's wedding, he's more than prepared to let her know how he feels about her. When a simple wedding getaway turns to a war zone, with stalkers and greeting cards claiming to be from Keith, wyill the two finally find a happily ever after together or is a second chance at romance too hot to handle? [Cover design by Mikael]

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Chapter 1

Prologue

Lisa's POV

I stood outside the morgue on that May evening, unable to believe my senses. It was like every normal day, nothing changed. The sun was already ducking behind fluffy clouds that reminded me of the dough I abandoned back home, on the kitchen island next to Emilie's elbow. The sky was stained with the reds and pinks of an approaching dusk. The spring breeze ruffled my chestnut shoulder length hair, and like the previous day, I could smell rain in the air. Except that Keith, my husband, who was supposed to be at home, is in there. Lying cold, dead, in a freezer.

"Have you heard anything from Damien all these while?" Emilie had asked two hours ago, when we both were in my kitchen, and I was lining up my ingredients for my chocolate chip cookies. Flour, sugar, butter, eggs. Right then, baking had become more than just one of my hobbies. Since my baby bump got bigger, and Emilie, Keith even, had encouraged me to take a break from managing my restaurant, Duke's Table, baking had become a kind of avoidance tactic. A way to deflect the troubles of my marriage with Keith. A vehicle of stress release. A break from real life. An art of delicious distraction that wasn't quite potent anymore as soon as Emilie had mentioned Damien's name. I had wished my heart did not skip a dozen beats at the mention of my husband's brother. I had wished I did not remember the melted caramel colored eyes and sharp cheekbones on his tawny face, and his lips on mine. I would have paid good money to say I did not want him to kiss me, that I hadn't ever wanted him to, but the embarrassing truth was that I did want it. I had liked the kiss. I had liked him too.

"Hello? Earth to Elisabeth?" Emilie had waved her small hand in my face. I hadn't realized I was spacing out. "I didn't know you missed him so much."

I'd ignored the shame clawing up my throat and plopped the stick of butter in a bowl, dumping a cup of sugar on top of it. "Shut up. You sound like my mother. She's the only one that calls me Elisabeth. And who says I miss Damien? What did you think I would hear from him, and why?"

Emilie had lowered her jaw into the vee of her hands with her elbows propped up at the countertop, grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat. "Because right now, your ears are redder than apples."

"Are they? I highly doubt that." I'd dipped my head and focused on the bowl of butter and sugar. Initially I'd intended to use the mixer, but instead I had taken a fork and attacked the butter, mashing it together with the sugar with harsh, almost violent, strokes. I did miss him. So much. We were buddies after all. But I did not want to hear from him. Not when his brother had almost walked in on us kissing, and had still suspected we were having an affair. Not when I still laid in bed some nights with that kiss playing over and over in my head, right beside my husband.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Lisa." The words had rushed out of Emilie's mouth faster than a gazelle hellbent on escaping death that waited between a leopard's jaws as she'd waved both hands frantically in front of her. "The baby, remember? We need you both whole, and healthy. Stress-free. I believe that's what that mixer over there exists for." She had gestured to the mixer encased in a glass walled cupboard. The mixer it had somehow skipped my mind to take out of there. Emilie had dashed to the cupboard to get it out for me. I'd exhaled, thrown my hands up in surrender, and set the bowl of butter and sugar onto the stand mixer.

"Yes, you're welcome." Emilie'd returned to her former position at the kitchen island, right in front of me. "He's just as hot as Keith so I won't blame you." She had slipped a chunk of her beachy blonde locks behind her right ear. "But that's not all I've got to say. I heard from Jenna Gonzalez he's dating Ally Rose now. Remember the girl with pink streaks in her hair and the sudden glow up last summer?"

Yeah, I did remember. I'd also remembered I went to school with the then lanky, awkward teenager, and she accused me of stealing her prom date, proceeding to embarrass me afterwards. But that strangely did not bother me as much as the news about Damien in a relationship with her did. I'd taken deep, measured breaths to regulate the way my heart twisted and thrummed in my ribcage, and refused to acknowledge the envy that had to do with all that.

"Wow. That's… romantic."

"Jenna says they met somewhere in Tennessee. At a bar or something."

"Yeah right." Jenna does know everything afterall. She's called the collector of secrets for a reason. And thanks to her, Emilie's feeding me juicy gossip. That had been basically how I'd spent long, lonely days, pregnant and trapped in a ginormous house. Except that particular gossip had been sour to my ears. I'd grabbed a drinking glass nearby and filled it with water, taking small sips as I fixated on the mixer doing it's job. Another embarrassing truth: it didn't matter if Ally Rose had been the woman he's with or not. What had mattered, and slightly got me pissed had been that I wasn't that woman.

"You really do like this guy," Emilie'd observed.

"Not that it matters." I'd set down the glass of water on the white granite island to bring down the mixing bowl and throw the rest of the ingredients into it. "I'm married, Em. To his brother. We already have… well, we're on our way to having a baby together." I'd swiped a hand down my body to encompass my bulging tummy poking at the floor length chiffon gown I had on. "That kiss was…" Superb. Intoxicating, despite the short time it lasted. I'd forced myself to bite it out, in spite of myself. "... a mistake. And Keith sure as hell will be mad if he finds out. Trust me, Em, you don't want to see Keith mad."

The solemn look on her face had let me know she understood. "I'll go preheat the oven for you." She'd moved adjacent to the counter, where the oven was located. Then she'd stopped in her tracks, and spun around to face me. "I'm really sorry I brought that up…"

"You did nothing wrong, Em…"

"It must be hard having a thing for a man while married to his brother. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done if I was married to Nolan's brother while I'm still crazy in love with him…"

"Emilie!"

"Though I must admit it's thrilling. Like something out of a movie. Or Mills and Boon."

I'd snorted, "If I saw that in a movie, I would trash it."

"Gosh, don't you feel like a rebel sometimes?"

"One more word, and I will make sure to waste this dough on you," I'd threatened.

"If you actually can," she'd taunted, sticking out her tongue at me. I'd shaken my fist right back in mock menace.

"I was thinking, what if, by a sheer stroke of destiny, or luck, you somehow had a chance with Damien? What will you do then?"

That had been when, as if in answer, my phone had vibrated on the kitchen island. I'd picked the call to receive the news of Keith's demise.

Emilie walked up beside me, concern and sympathy creasing up her features. Her eyes were slowly welling up with tears. "I'm so sorry, girl, I'm so sorry." She enveloped me in a tight hug, as tight as the protrusion on my tummy would let her. "This is so sudden I don't know what else to say."

I too was dumbfounded. I merely put an arm around her waist, and watched from over her shoulder as my father-in-law, Demetrius, headed to his car with a sullen expression, and hurriedly also, like did not want anyone to witness him cry. He had also come over to identify Keith's body. Like every parent would be at the death of their children, he was heartbroken.

Overhead, the sky darkened at the appearance of gray rain clouds that lent more gloom to the atmosphere. Emilie noticed too, because she pulled away from me with a sob, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with the sleeve of her red woollen sweater. "We should head home, Lisa. It looks like it will rain soon."

The fat raindrop that hit my cheek felt like a pebble, and soon, sooner than perhaps Emilie expected, the clouds gave way to a pelting shower. Emilie immediately swung her arm around my shoulders and propelled me to her car parked under a whistling pine, while the rain, already burst free from the clouds, seeped into my clothes. It probably was unfair to all who loved Keith, but I identified with the rain that was no longer trapped within the clouds. I was free.

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26 Chapters
Prologue
Lisa's POV I stood outside the morgue on that May evening, unable to believe my senses. It was like every normal day, nothing changed. The sun was already ducking behind fluffy clouds that reminded me of the dough I abandoned back home, on the kitchen island next to Emilie's elbow. The sky was stained with the reds and pinks of an approaching dusk. The spring breeze ruffled my chestnut shoulder length hair, and like the previous day, I could smell rain in the air. Except that Keith, my husband, who was supposed to be at home, is in there. Lying cold, dead, in a freezer. "Have you heard anything from Damien all these while?" Emilie had asked two hours ago, when we both were in my kitchen, and I was lining up my ingredients for my chocolate chip cookies. Flour, sugar, butter, eggs. Right then, baking had become more than just one of my hobbies. Since my baby bump got bigger, and Emilie, Keith even, had encouraged me to take a break from managing my restaurant, Duke's Table, baking ha
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 1
Damien's POV The first time I met Lisa Armstrong, it was at a movie theater, where we had both gone to see The Little Mermaid. Her auburn hair was styled in a bun, atop a head that stood out on the female dominated queue seeking to buy popcorn, with a white cashmere dress that hugged her willowy waist and flared to the top of her knees and black heeled boots. Even from behind, with a guy on a baseball cap situated between us, the outfit was cute as hell. But her sling purse was slightly open, and a wallet was peeking out. And the guy in front of me who maybe thought I wasn't paying attention had already swiped the wallet, and made it disappear through his front pocket. I bent over till my mouth was almost against the shorter man's ear. "I would give it back if I were you." "Whatever you mean, dude." "I mean you have the option of giving the lady back her wallet without causing a scene. Either that or I'll have to break every thieving finger of yours to retrieve it." "You're
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 2
Lisa's POV I should have known Damien would show up today. When Carla called and said the lunch would be between "family", the word must have encompassed Damien too. Ugh, what do I mean? I sound so selfish. He's like their only son now. Just because I wished to avoid him doesn't mean Carla should be deprived of the opportunity to see her son. Yet I shouldn't have my heart leap and flutter at the sight of the man I want to keep at an arm's length. I dump the last plate atop the stack of other soiled platters and lift them up for the fifth trip to the kitchen, where Carla is rinsing off more cutlery sets to put in the dishwasher. "Set them over there, Lisa. Thank you." I put down the pile of dirty dishes on the counter near the sink. "Don't mention it, Carla. I'm happy to help." Even as I once swore to cut off anything that would remind me of my late husband, and start over someplace outside of Oakenville. I would move Duke's Table to the new location too. But I felt really ter
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 3
Lisa's POV When Selena sent me an invite to her wedding, I jumped at the opportunity to leave Oakenville, even if it's for a few days, away from the pity and scrutiny of townspeople. I can use the break too, after an aggressive devotion to the affairs of my business, to burying myself in work and leaving no room for intrusive thoughts. Willow yawns, and from the crook of my arm she observes the environs where we stand in front of the airport, like a king surveying his land from the top of his castle. Her blond short twin tails bob along with her head, and I dig my teeth down my lower lip at this momento of her father. I did not know what to feel when I gazed down at his unrecognizable body that day in the morgue, an hour after he had been fished out from the wreck that used to be his Porsche. Yet after his funeral, I was an automaton whose very first sensation was relief. I shake my head in an attempt to banish the thoughts before I fish through my handbag for my phone. Part of
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 4
Lisa's POV The holiday villa is just a ten-minute drive away from the resort, maybe fourteen if you decide to stroll your way there. Selena eases her car into the garage and kills the engine of her Mustang. "We're here. Finally." I alight from the car with Willow nestled in the crook of one arm and hoist my suitcase out of the trunk with my other hand. I stand before the enormous glass and white-walled mansion and breathe a sigh, marveled. "This must have cost a fortune." "Yep. I thought the same thing the first time I came here," Yvette concurs. "You both tell that to Wade." Selena smiles proudly. "Gimme that." She collects my bag from me and rolls it along beside her as we cross a covered swimming pool, and the wide front patio with two luxurious L-shaped couches surrounding a lilac table to get to the door. For some reason, Selena is trailing behind us, lugging my bag as though it's filled with three mountains. "Is the suitcase heavy?" I ask, glancing back. "Nev
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 5
Lisa's POV Damien turns around, and away from the wide window to glance at the door and whoever must have entered, clutching a half filled bottle of water with one hand, the other hand at his hip, and his eyes grow twice their size as his gaze alights on me. The tawny skin of his bare torso is bathed in sunlight, lighting up his concave abs, his big biceps. I saw Glenn shirtless a while ago downstairs, but he didn't inspire any lurch in my chest like Damien just did. His blond hair is wet and slicked back from his face, probably damp from shower. I have no idea for how long we've been standing this way, staring at each other. But when I open my mouth, an impulsive scream erupts from the pit of my stomach. "Aaaah…!" "What is that?" I hear Selena ask from the stairs. "Did you see a bogeyman?" That must be Glenn. Already thuds are sounding on the stairs. Someone is coming here. Damien notices, and quickly flies across the room to me and clamps his palm over my mouth, dropp
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 6
Lisa's POV "Hey, Cupcake!" Selena waves at me. "Get over here. I was beginning to think you'd hole up in your room all night." I see her fiery hair in the midst of the flower-and-grass-skirt-wearing dancing crowd, and make my way towards her. She is flanked by three brunettes, one of whom I recognize as Yvette. The others are sizing me up, sweeping glances from the top of my wavy ponytail to my polished passion pink toes. Selena grins, and adjusts the halo of flowers on top of her head. She is wearing an ivory dress with a spaghetti strap that hugged her body like a second skin, a plunging neckline, and three heart shaped cutouts all the way down the front of the dress that barely covered her bum, from her bust to her waist. She looks like a femme fatale on a mission to steal all hearts before sunrise. And with this phenomenal dress, she definitely will. "I came over as soon as I took Willow to the sitters. Great dress, Selena. You look amazing." "Thanks," Selena smiles. "You
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 7
Yvette's POV I slipped away from my friends as soon as I got the chance to, and right now I'm somewhere less noisy, somewhere closer to the shores, where I can listen to the sound of waves lapping and crashing against stones. It's not like I hate parties, or other people's company. It's just that this is one of those times where I'd rather sit in silence and read my one of favorite ebooks. No one will notice I'm gone anyway. They'll be too busy soaking up attention from men to care. This part of the beach is not as quiet as I imagined though. It's quite faraway from the main party venue, which means it's not illuminated by any tiki torches, only by the light of a full moon. Which also means some partygoers have chosen this place to be the site of intense make out sessions. The night air still carries strains of the traditional beach music as I pick my way in search of a comfortable place to sit, wincing as I hear moans and smooch sounds coming from a particular shadowed corner.
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 8
Damien's POV "Man, this is wild," Glenn comments, looking at the photo on his phone. That photo is basically what everyone is talking about and boy, do they have different versions of the story to entertain us with. The cheating tramp who left home with her kid to cavort with a lover. A runaway baby mama who stalks her ex-lover to Palm Paradise. And those aren't even the worst of them. The stories are so creative I could laugh. Except there's nothing hilarious about them. "And the comments were just so nasty. It's a good thing the picture was taken down," Matt put in beside me, raising his cup to his lips to take a swig of beer. Yeah, I bet. Nasty comments directed at an innocent woman who probably has no clue about this. Rage surges through my veins on her behalf. I wonder how this would be for Lisa, as society's usually harsher to the women in situations like this. If only I can get my hands on whoever uploaded that picture. I imagine putting my hands around their neck, squee
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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Chapter 9
Lisa's POV I wake up to a ding from my phone at the bedside table. I yawn, then roll languidly to the side of my bed to pluck it up and squints at the screen. It's a W******p notification. Selena added me to a group called 'The Wedding Train'. With a string of all kind of emojis she could lay her fingers on attached. Bride emoji, love emojis. Brrr. Selena: Rise n' shine, bitches!!! Breakfast downstairs for everyone by 8! Jeremy: huh? TiffanySpicey: Okeydoke! I sit up quickly on my bed and rub my eyes. Sunlight is pouring in from the wide window that offers a terrific view of the sea and beautiful sunrise. I breathe, breathe, breathe in the salt breeze, then burrow back into my covers. I hadn't realized the pre-wedding getaway Selena had in mind involved everyone, including the groomsmen. Including Damien. I don't feel up to eating with them right now. Especially after that stunt Damien pulled on me last night. "What the hell was that for?" I whirled on him the moment we left
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-25
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